Although early childhood education (ECE) teachers frequently use the concept of the "teachable moment" (TM) when they reflect upon their teaching experiences, there is a lack of discussion in the professional literature regarding what a TM is or how teachers construct the notion of TM-oriented curriculum practice through their…

Based on the view that because kindergarten is caught between early childhood education and compulsory public education, the year is often overlooked as an important time for learning. This paper aims to mobilize interest in kindergarten as an educational issue ripe for research, debate, and policy action. The paper begins by briefly reviewing…

This guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, shares with parents information about the South Carolina Curriculum Standards. The standards outline state requirements for children's learning and what students across the state should be able to do in certain subjects. The guide lists seven key reasons parents should be aware of the new…

Noting that a creative approach to early childhood education allows teachers to reinforce the foundation of achievement by encouraging and expanding upon children's play activities, this book provides teacher-developed ideas and strategies for creating learning communities in the early childhood classroom. The beginning chapter introduces creative…

This book provides information to guide the development of an active learning early childhood program by assisting in the selection of materials and equipment to support children's cognitive, physical and social development. The guide considers the arrangement of classroom areas, and elements of the daily routine. The following classroom interest…

Informed by current thinking and supported by data gathered in Singapore, this volume compiles a selection of papers presented at the First Singapore Conference on Preschool Education: Promoting Quality Care and Education for Preschoolers. The papers are: (1) "Introduction: Issues in Quality Provision for Preschool Care and Education"…

This UNESCO-supported case study report documents aspects of New Zealand's integration of the administrative auspices for early childhood care and education (ECCE) into the national education authority, the Department/Ministry of Education. The report is presented in nine sections. Following the introductory section providing a historical overview…

The Georgia Prekindergarten Program was established in 1993 to provide the state's 4-year-olds with high-quality preschool experiences. Beginning in the 1996-1997 school year, a sample of 3,639 children enrolled in 1 of 203 randomly selected Georgia prekindergarten classes was selected for a 5-year longitudinal study. The study examined how…

Although opportunities for sharing information about early childhood education increased with the disbanding of the Soviet Union in 1991, knowledge about how young children are cared for and educated in countries of the former Soviet Union remains limited. This report presents observations of a kindergarten class in Minsk, Belarus conducted…

These four quarterly newsletter issues address various topics of interest to teachers of young children. Each issue includes articles on a specific theme, along with regular columns. The Fall 2000 issue focuses on imbuing celebrations with meaning. One article describes how one Japanese preschool adapts concepts from the Waldorf education approach…

Fourth in a series designed to provide early childhood educators with ideas and strategies for applying High/Scope principles, this idea book focuses on working with the parents of young children and presents 30 one-hour parent workshops in five areas. The book's introduction presents guiding principles for working with adult learners, discusses…

Teachers can capitalize on young children's natural curiosity about the world around them by including science learning in the preschool curriculum. Science activities provide a rich knowledge base and foster skills in receptive and expressive language, skills in self-regulation, and skills in problem identification, analysis, and solution. (TJQ)

Compares case studies of early childhood education in schools in Germany and Ireland. Both schools emphasize the importance of children's emotional-spiritual development, but while Irish children are already in formal education, German schooling defers beginning of formal learning. Concludes that more teacher interaction with children in German…

Describes NAEYC video training materials "Tools for Teaching" providing guidance on five essentials for early childhood teaching: creating caring communities of learners, teaching to enhance development and learning, constructing appropriate curriculum, assessing children's learning and development, and building reciprocal relationships with…

Discusses the values transmitted to infants and toddlers by a majority of Americans and by many early childhood education leaders. Points out how mainstream infant/toddler programs encourage the characteristics of individualism, independence, choice and exploration, initiative, equality, and expressiveness. Examines parents' role in infant/toddler…